June 24, 2015 1 min read
We just celebrated World Typewriter Day with Inkwood Book around the corner. We brought the writing bar and people typed notes, letters and postcards on vintage typewriters from the 20's to the 60s. It celebrates the issue of the patent for the first typewriter which forever changed the way we communicate. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it a special day. We were lucky to be interviewed by the Tampa Bay Times and they even made a super cool video. Watch it here: www.tampabay.com/video. It features Stefani from Inkwood and my niece and summer intern, Dory Rosenthal. See ya next at the next typing event...stay tuned.
June 08, 2015 3 min read
Summer is a time for new beginnings and that's why we think its a great time to take one of our modern craft classes. We've gathered some of the most talented, passionate, and creative teachers we could find from the Tampa Bay area. We hope you will be just as impressed with their bios as we were when we first read them. Sign up today for a Summer Class at: www.paperseahorse.com/classes.
CHRISTINA LEMBO is the founder and owner of Franny & Franky Design Co., a paper goods design company that also offers custom hand-lettering, logo, and graphic design services. Christina runs her business from her home studio, where she also stores her evergrowing collection of vintage paper and ephemera. She lives in St. Petersburg with her husband, John, and their son, dog, and cat. See Christina's work at www.etsy.com/shop/FrannyandFranky
RANDY ROSENTHAL is an artist/entrepreneur. As co-founder and Creative Director of Tricycle Studios, he advises business leaders at some of the world's best known brands like Johnson & Johnson, and Olympus on customer engagement strategies. He is very excited to bring these proven techniques to the local creative business community. Randy brings his signature "human-centered" approach to all of his wildly different endeavors like stand-up comedy, hypnosis, and filmmaking. Most recently, Randy curates and restores vintage typewriters, making them available for use at events, rental or to have for your very own. www.tampatype.com
PHOEBE BROWN is a Florida native, who writes creative nonfiction and poetry. She graduated from the University of Tampa where she received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Her work has appeared both in print and online in literary magazines, such as The Healing Muse, Deep South Magazine, Touch: The Journal of Healing, and Hoot Review. She worked as a contributing author and contributing editor on a book titled Journey to Wholeness: The Voices of Women LIVING with Disabilities. Currently, she teaches English at Hillsborough Community College. We are delighted she is teaching Creative Writing for us.
Strands of Sunshine is where you'll find handcrafted jewelry for happy people! Owner and artist AMY MARSHALL creates each piece at her workbench right inside this fun little St. Pete shop. Amy has over 10 years of designing and making. She uses materials such as sterling and fine silver, semi-precious gemstones, glass, and silk cord, and uses techniques including torch fusing, pearl knotting, metal stamping, and wire wrapping. Visit her delightful shop: Strands of Sunshine in St. Petersburg. www.strandsofsunshine.com
JULIE CLARKE is a lively creative spirit who does it all; from knitting to crochet, jewelry to pottery and more. Owner and creative vision for Beadlejules, Julie ran Tampa's premier beading shop for 10 years. After taking some time to get married and make her greatest creative production; daughter Amelie, we are lucky Julie is back inspiring us all.
JENNI GLASER grew up in Shreveport Louisiana and has lived in Tampa since 1986. She received a BFA from Tulane University and a MEd from the University of Missouri. She has taught art in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, is the mother of four, and currently is creating art in the medium of clay and fiber.
PAULA STAHEL
Paula Stahel has a pen for each of her multiple personas. She’s a professional personal historian. She teaches life writing and memoir classes. She’s an author herself and a ghostwriter. She edits other writers. She’s a book coach. She presents workshops at conferences around the country. She maintains that, “Our stories are our breath into the future, as our memories are the shadows of our past.” Her many credits include the book Listen Up!—The Art of Interviewing for Personal History; collaborating on and editing The Treason of Mary Louvestre by My Haley, who was herself collaborator on Roots with her husband Alex Haley: and co-author of The Wonder Years—My Life and Times with Stevie Wonder, Ted Hull’s memoir of his years as tutor, road manager, and surrogate father to the young musical genius. Paula is a past president of the Association of Personal Historians Inc., an international organization dedicated to supporting the preservation and sharing of life stories around the world. Through Breath & Shadows Productions, she creates high-quality legacy books and audio histories.
TONA BELL, proprietress of The Paper Seahorse, has always had a passion for all things paper, packaging, writing and making. All through her successful career in public relations, marketing and creative services, she found new and exciting ways to use paper. She used hand-written stamped letters to 100 specific people as a very personal way to launch a successful marketing company. In her 18 years as President of that company, Tricycle Studios, she continued to encourage the use of handwritten letters. With The Paper Seahorse, her dream has come true to share these creative pursuits with others. She hopes to inspire people to follow their dreams and make the world a lovelier, more thoughtful place. www.paperseahorse.com
Now comes the difficult part . . . figuring out which classes you can't miss.
June 08, 2015 1 min read
Our Summer 2015 Class Schedule is now online. We have some new classes and teachers. Check out Kids Summer Art Week, Knitting and Crochet, as well as our monthly Crafts & Cocktails Open Houses.
June 08, 2015 1 min read
We were thrilled to be a part of the Etsy Craft Party this year at the St. Pete Coliseum. We did a Father's Day free make and take card. You could type a message to dad and then make an origami bow tie. Thanks to Tampa Type and their writing bar and our stellar teacher Dory.
June 08, 2015 1 min read
We recently did a custom baby shower with a moustache and bow tie theme. From the invitations, to the garland, props and party favors, the fun baby boy theme was used throughout. We can design a package for you, show you how to DIY with our kits and custom designed parties.
May 04, 2015 1 min read
Expressive Collage and Mother's Day/Spring Card Classes were so fun. We learned hints and mixed-media techniques, tried something new and shared some firsts. We were lucky enough to craft with two sets of mother and daughters at our card making class. It couldn't have been more perfect. Best of all, we made with our hands and gave from the heart. Come join us soon.
April 29, 2015 1 min read
To celebrate National Poetry, Card & Letter Writing Month, we had a writing and typing open house. We held a creative writing class, screened The Making Mail documentary, made some fun mail art, and typed on machines from the 1920's - 1960's. A postal maven, a Letter Writing Alliance member, and a Postcrossing member came to the meet up. (I realize I am not alone in my mail geekness)...A typewriter aficionado and our new friend Jack brought a machine with a deco font, dreamy! We had several people send mail art and they got their free lettering writing kit. We are already dreaming up ideas for next year. Until then, snail mail forever.
April 16, 2015 2 min read
I have been super fortunate for the 4th year in a row to attend The Makerie, a creative retreat. For the past two years, it has been The Sweet Paul Makerie (last year in NY and this year in PA) as in the Sweet Paul Magazine. Ali DeJohn is the creative genius behind these retreats. You get to take two half classes a day for two days. Delicious breakfasts, lunches and a dinner refuel you along the way. Stunning settings, amazing teachers and very crafty creative women all get to spend a weekend in the Spring together.
This year was in Philly at Terrain and the headquarters of Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters. Here are the classes I took this year:
Terrariums and Foraged Wreathsat Terrain with Megan - She is an artist who paints with flowers and plants.
Inspired Tableswith Matthew Robbins - He is the most talented down to earth famous person I have ever met. (Ok, I haven't met many but he is still one of the kindest and nicest.)
Stitched Organic Botanicalswith Ann Wood- She is a fiber artist who had us make delicate seed pods from silks and a vintage wedding dress! To die for lusciousness.
Watercolor Correspondence with calligrapher Meredith Langer of Merely Mere and Ann DeMarco-Mills of new old fashioned - I discovered calligraphy and lettering while using watercolor as a most beautiful backdrop.
I am recharged and inspired. I got to play with my daughter, Hannah who is in most of these photos, and my dear friend Kate, who has been my partner in crafting crimes for over 7 years now. Thanks to everyone I met this year who in some way, big or small, helped fuel me on my journey towards spreading creative goodness. Cheers to you!
April 01, 2015 1 min read
WRITING EXPO DAY will be on Saturday April 25th from 9am - 6pm. It is a special day filled with classes and a free community event!
9– 11a Creative Writing Class- Learn about poetry and creative writing techniques as well as the craft of finding your voice as a writer.
12– 1p Typewriter 101 Class -Interactive and hands-on: how to use a typewriter, maintaining one and tips for what to look for when buying one.
1– 3p Introduction to Mail Art Class- Let's make snail mail! Learn history, explore different kinds, use vintage ephemera as well as modern materials to create your own letters and postcards. All material included.
3– 6p Type In & Letter Writing Community Social (Free & open to the public):
• Watch a screening of the documentary “Making Mail”
• Try your hand at lettering
• Get crafty with a mail art make & take
• Receive letter and card writing tip•Special guest Tampa Type will be on hand with their typing bar: here’s your chance to type on typewriters from the 20s to the 60s
• Bring your own typewriters and share the joy with others (your writers will be happy to be taken for a walk!)
• Enjoy inspiration, refreshments and meet like-minded creative
March 26, 2015 1 min read
People say the nicest things! Big thanks to Creative Loafing for the article. Christina Lembo of Franny and Franky Designs is also teaching several amazing class this spring at The Paper Seahorse. Congrats Christina for being in West Elm!